Motion picture apparatus with improved impulse transmitter contact structure



United States Patent 1111 3,546,403

[72] Inventor Rudolf healer [56] References Cited Stuttgart, GermanyUNITED STATES PATENTS 1 Appl- 709,005 2,374,295 4/1945 Mathes zoo/25x 1Filed 2,811,594 10/1951 Papouschek p 200114 1 w 1970 3,089,923 5/1963Wright 200/1 1 1))ux 1 Assume mum W 3,246,088 4/1966 Mallndel'.........200/153(.16)UX swan, Germany 3,284,584 11/1966 Didyk 200/11(A)UX W'3,297,835 1/1967 Colodner 200/1 l(A)UX Pnomy ts 1967 3,398,245 8/1968l-lartsock 200/1 1(1))ux [31 1 No. 212; Primary Examiner-Robert K.Schaefer Assistant Exammer.l. R. Scott Attorney-Singer, Stern andCarlberg ABSTRACT: A motion picture apparatus provided with an impulsetransmitter driven by the film drive mechanism and [54] mgiggg itransmitting synchro-impulses for controlling a sound ap- UCTUREparatus. The impulse transmitter is adapted to be used selecg 7D" intively with any one of a number of ditferent synchronizing 8 W a Figsmethods and is provided with a slidable contact member and a [52]U.S.CI. 200/24, number of groups of transmitter contacts which arespaced 340/356 and offset from each other in the direction of movementof [51] Int. Cl. H0lh 39/00 said slidable contact member. This slidablecontact member is [50] Field Search 200/1 1(A), adapted to bealternately connected to a current supply conll(D), 14, 25, 24, 153,16(X), 51, 61.45; ductor and selectively to at least one of a pluralityof electric 340/345, 354, 357, 364 conductors which transmit thesynchronizing impulses.

c E I E PATENTEBBEC 8mm 35463103 saw 1 OF 3 PATENTEU DEC 8157!) SHEET 2OF 3 WWW WWW MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED IMPULSE TRANSMITTERCONTACT STRUCTURE The invention relates to a motion picture apparatuswhich for the purpose of transmitting synchro-impulses is equipped withan impulse transmitter operated by the film drive mechanism." I

Known motion picture apparatus of this kind are constructed to transmitsynchro-impulse sequences of various patterns. For example,a sequence ofone impulse perpicture is employed for the flash-illumination of afilms'cene to .be shot, or for the flash operation of a motion pictureprojector. Synchro-impulse sequences are also used for the control of asynchronized operation between a motion picture apparatus (camera andprojectorland a sound apparatus as it is required for a sound filmrecording and reproduction in the two-tape method. I

In the individual methods the impulse frequency varies between threeimpulses per picture and one impulse each to four pictures. Thetransmission of the impulses is effected by way of a single electricconductor of by a plurality of such conductors, for instance three. Inthe latter case the synchroimpulse transmitter acts as a'three phasecurrent generator for a synchronous motor driving the sound apparatus.For each of these possibilities a separate impulse transmitter isprovided.

In order to attain a widely universal usability of motion pictureapparatus, the invention has .as its object to create a synchro-impulsetransmitter which is equally efficient for a variety of synchronizingjobs and methods. Its construction is to be as simple as possible andsuch that a conversion from one to another method and from one toanother impulse sequence, respectively, does no longer require anyadjustment to be made in'the apparatus. I

According to the invention, the synchro-impulse transmitter in a motionpicture apparatus of the kind mentioned is provided with groups oftransmitter contacts which are electrically connected with each other,whereby the transmitter contacts for the purpose of being alternatelyconnected to a current conductor are positioned offset with respect toeach other in the direction of movement of a slidable contact member andare adapted to be selectively connected to one or more electricalconductors by means of whichthe synchro-impulses are activated.

In further developing the invention, at least one transmitter contact ofone of the groups is adapted to be electrically separable by circuitmeans.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the synchro-impulsetransmitter is provided with three groups each comprising fourtransmitter contacts in circular arrangement'and a current supplycontact in the center of this circle, whereby the transmitter contactgroups are so spaced with respect to each other that 12 transmittercontacts are evenly distributed over a perimeter of 360One of the threegroups of transmitter contacts may be adapted to be electricallyseparated by circuit means into individual contacts. I

In order to selectively connect the transmitter contacts to one or moreelectric conductors, there is provided a commutator which may bearranged at the motion picture apparatus, at the cable connecting themotion picture apparatus and the sound apparatus, or on thesoundapparatus. For the same purpose may also serve connecting cords, theplugs of which either combine in themselves the electric cables comingfrom the transmitter contacts in accordance with the selection made,conduct them on separately or terminate them.

This impulse transmitter device may according to the invention beaccommodated to form a structural unit which is attachable to theapparatus housing from the outside'and which through an opening in thewall of the apparatus housing may be connected to the film drivemechanism of the apparatus,

whereby this opening is covered by the impulse transmitter transmittercontacts concentrically arranged to this current supply contact, and adisk spring which is deposited opposite said contact plate. This diskspring-being rotatable by the film advance mechanism-serves as aslidable contact member and successively connects the current supplycontact and the transmitter contacts with each other.

These and other objects of the invention will further be described withreference to the accompanying drawings from which details not pertinentto the invention have been omitted for sake of clarity.

In the drawings:

FIG. I is a diagrammatic view of the contact, plate according tothe-invention including itsconnections toconnector sleeves provided onthe apparatus and a connecting plug for converting the synchro-impulsetransmitter into a three phase current generator; i

FIG. 2 illustrates diagrammatically a' plug connection by which thesynchro-irnpulse transmitter transmits one synchronizing impulse each ata rate of four pictures;

FIG. 3 illustrates diagrammatically a plug connection by which thesynchro-impulse' transmitter transmits one synchronizing impulse at eachpicture;

FIG; 4 illustrates diagrammatically a plug connection by which thesynchro-impulse transmitter transmits one synchronizing impulse each attwo pictures;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a synchro-impulse transmitter deviceaccording to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a synchro-impulse transmitteraccording to FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view of a disk spring serving as a slidablecontact member.

Referring to FIG. I, connecter sleevesI, 2 and 3, and 5, 6, 7 and 8,respectively, are connected by electric cables to three groups 9a, 9b,9c of transmitter contacts of a contact plate 10. An electric cableextends from the connecting sleeve 4 to a centrally located currentsupply contact 23 of the contact plate 10. Associated with theconnecting sleeves l to 8 is a connecting plug 47 having mounted thereonthe plugs 11 to 18. In the circuit illustrated in FIG. 1 the connectingplugs 12, 13, I5 and 16 are connected to an impulse conductor 19, theconnecting plugs II and 17 are connected to an'impulse conductor 20 andthe connecting plug 18 is connected to an impulse conductor 21. Theconnecting plug 14 is connected to a current supply conductor 22. Acontact bar 24 represents a rotating contact member capsule ofconnecting the individual transmitter contacts of the groups 911, 9b and9c successively with the current supply contact 23.

In the exemplary circuit according to FIG'. I the following impulsesequence is obtained at the rotation of the contact bar 24 which sweepsout an angle of rotation of .90? per picture:

When a transmitter contact of-the group 9a is connected by the contactbar 24 to the current supply contact 23, a current impulse is impartedby way of the impulse conductor 20 to a synchronous motor at a soundapparatus. As the contact bar 24 moves on to the next followingtransmitter contact of the group 9b, the current impulse is shifted onto the impulse conductor 19 and thereafter to the impulse'conductor 21when the contact bar 24 reaches the next following transmitter contactof the group 90. This procedure is repeated four times during onerotation of the contact bar 24, Le. during the advancement of the filmby one picture one impulse each is con ductgd over one transmittercontact each of the groups 9a, 9b and c.

If, as shown in FIG. 2, the connecting sleeves l to 8 are coupled with aconnecting plug of which solely the connecting pin 14 is connected tothe current supply conductor 22 and the connecting pins 15 to 17 arejointly connected to the impulse conductor 20, then the sound apparatusreceives only one synchronizing impulse during one complete revolutionof the contact bar 24. This occurs as long as the contact bar 24connects the current supply contact 23 with the transmitter contacts ofthe groups 9a and 9b which are connected to the sleeves 5 and 7.

This embodiment, then, produces one synchronizing impulse each to fourpictures. This type of control is provided in so-called unit tonesystems.

In the embodiment illustrated in FlG. 3, the connecting pins 12, 13, 15and 16 are connected to the impulse conductor 20. The electric currentconducted by the current supply conductor 22 to the connecting pin M,the connecting sleeve d, the current supply contact 23 and the contactbar 24 transmits synchronizing impulses to the impulse conductor 20 andfrom there to the sound apparatus only upon contacting transmittercontacts of the group 9b. This circuit, therefore, produces a sequenceof one impulse per picture. This is suitable, for example, for soundpicture shooting, for flash picture series or for counter control.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, finally, the connecting plugcloses the impulse circuit with respect to the impulse conductor 20 andtherewith to the sound apparatus solely by means of the connecting pins13 and 16 and the connecting" pin 1d including the current supplyconductor 22. The rotating contact bar 24 is restricted to transmittingan impulse only upon contacting the transmitter contacts of the group 9bwhich are connected to the connecting sleeves 3 and 6. Thus, an impulsesequence of one impulse to two pictures is obtained. Also this rate issuitable for sound motion pictures or, for instance, for the control ofthe counting device.

The contact plate 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is mounted in a housing 25which simultaneously serves as a socket member 26 provided with theconnecter sleeves 1 to 8. This housing 25 (FIG. isattachable to a wall27 of the housing of a motion picture apparatus. Between the housingwall 27 and the housing 25 is inserted a plate 28 carrying a bearingsleeve 29 and a bearing pin 30. Screws 31 (FIG. 6) fasten the-plate 28to the housing 25 and the latter together with the plate 28 is in turnattached to the housing wall 27 by screws 32.

The bushing 29 projects through an opening 33 provided in the housingwall 27 into the housing of the motion picture apparatus. The bushing 29supports a shaft 34 one end of which, namely that end which projectsinto the housing 25, is attached to a gear wheel 35. The other end ofthe shaft 34 carries a pinion 36 the teeth of which mesh with the teethof a friction wheel 37 which is mounted on a pin 38 of the motionpicture apparatus. The gear wheel 35 engages the teeth of a gear wheel39 which is supported by the bearing pin 30. The bearing pin 30 andhence the gear wheel 39 are disposed opposite the contact plate in sucha manner that the center pf the current supply contact 23 is located onthe axis of rotation of the gear wheel 39. To one face of the gear wheel39 is attached a disk spring 40 (FIG. 7) by means of rivets 41 and 42.Resilient contact fingers 43, 44 and 45 formed integrally with this diskspring 46 are provided with contact members 46 which owing to the springforce of these resilient contact fingers are urged against thetransmitter contacts 9a, 9b, 9c and the current supply contact 23. inthis manner the contact member 46 of the resilient contact finger d3engages the current supply contact 23. The contact members 46 on theresilient contact fingers 44 and 55 are adapted to engage and sweep overthe transmitter contacts of the groups 9a, 9b and 9c. The arrangement ofthe two last-named sliding contact members is such that thenonconducting intervals between the transmitter contacts of the groups9a, 9b and 9c are bridged at the transition from one transmitter contactto the other so that there will be no disruption of engagement at thesetransition points.

As mentioned previously, the transmission ratio is so selected that thecontact bar 24, which in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7 isformed by the dislt spring 40, performs one complete revolution whilethe film drive mechanism advances the film by four pictures. Dependingupon what type of connecting plug 47 is selected, any one of the impulsesequences illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 may be produced. The contactsurfaces on the contact plate 10 remain firmly connected with theconnecting sleeves l to 8 associated with them.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7 has proven to 1. Atransmitter for synchro-impulses for motion picture apparatus, includinga film drive mechanism which also drives said transmitter, wherein theimprovement comprises a contact plate with a centrally disposed contactmember connected to a current supply and a series of 12 transmittercontacts arranged closely adjacent to each other and concentricallyaround said central contact member, means including electricalconductors for selectively connecting said transmitter contacts withaslidable contact member which is in constantelectrical connection withsaid centrally disposed contact member, said 12 transmitter contactsbeing arranged in three symmetrically disposed groups, each having fourcontacts which are electrically connected with each other, whereby ineach contact in each group is placed between two contacts of the othertwo groups, means for rotating said slidable contact member by saiddrive mechanism in such a manner that when said slidable contact memberhas moved once over all said transmitter contacts said drive mechanismhas advanced the film a distance equal to four picture frames.

2. A transmitter for synchro-impulses for motion picture apparatusaccording to claim 1, including circuit means for electricallydisconnecting at least one of said transmitter contacts. 3. Atransmitter for synchro-inpulses for motion picture apparatus accordingto claim vl, including circuit. means for separating one of said threegroups of transmitter contacts into individual contacts.

4. A transmitter for synchro-impulses for motion picture apparatusaccording to claim 1, in which said slidable contact 'member foreffecting the selective connection of said transmitter contacts to anumber of said electrical conductors is arranged on the motion pictureapparatus.

5. A transmitter for synchro-impulses for motion picture apparatusaccording to claim 1, in which said slidable contact member foreffecting the selective connection of said transmitter contacts to anumber of electrical conductors is arranged on the connecting cablebetween the motion picture apparatus and the sound apparatus.

6. A transmitter for synchro-impulses for motion picture apparatusaccording to claim 1, in which said selective connection of saidtransmitter contacts to a number of electrical conductors is effected bya number of connecting cables provided with plugs, said plugs unite theelectric cables coming from the transmitter contacts in accordance withthe selection made.

7. A transmitter for synchro-implulses for motion picture apparatusaccording to claim 1, in which said synchro-impulse transmitting devicecomprises a structural unit which is attachable to the apparatus housing(27) from the outside and which through an opening (33) in the wall ofsaid apparatus housing is connected to the film drive mechanism-of saidapparatus, said opening being covered by said impulse transmitter unititself.

8. A transmitter for synchro-impulses for motion picture apparatusaccording to claim 1, including a disk spring arranged opposite saidcontact plate and rotatable by said film drive mechanism, said diskspring serving as said slidable contact member which successivelyconnects the current supply contact and the transmitter contacts witheach other.

